For Fantasia 2000, I knew I wanted something that was cohesive but not identical; something that could be decorated in different ways to represent the segments. So, I chose to make donuts. It sounds much harder than it actually is, especially if you have a breadmaker or somewhere that is good for proving yeasted bakes.

For this recipe, you will need:

• Donuts
  • 1 1/4 cup non-dairy milk
  • 2 1/4 tsp yeast (one packet)
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tsp sugar
  • 6 TBS vegan butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 4 cups flour
  • vegetable oil
• Glaze
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla
• Chocolate frosting
  • 1 cup vegan chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup vegan butter
  • 2 TBS maple syrup

Start by blooming your yeast. Warm up the milk, (about 80 degrees F; you should be able to stick your finger in it and feel that it’s warm, but not so hot that it burns you or you have to take your hand out immediately) then mix it together with the yeast and 1 teaspoon of sugar. The yeast should froth up after about 10 minutes.

Use an electric mixer to combine the butter with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar until creamy, then beat in the vanilla and salt. Begin adding the yeast mixture to the butter mixture, adding just a little bit at a time, then the flour, about 1/2 cup at a time. You may have to switch to a spoon if the dough gets too thick for the mixer.

Once the dough comes together, transfer it onto a floured work surface and knead until it’s just elastic. Then, either transfer it to an oiled mixing bowl and let it rise for about an hour, or transfer it to a bread maker on the “dough” setting for an hour.

After the dough rises, punch it down and transfer it back to your floured work surface. Use a donut cutter or biscuit cutter to cut the donuts into shape. Then transfer the donuts to a baking sheet and let them rise again for about an hour.

Personally, I struggle with yeast products, but after using the breadmaker for the first rise, it was much easier. BUT if you’re also having a hard time, here’s what I did that worked well. Preheat your oven to the LOWEST TEMPERATURE POSSIBLE. Once it’s preheated, and the donuts are ready for a second rise, turn the oven off, but keep the oven light on, and set the donuts to rise in that now warm oven. It will cool off while the donuts rise, but maintaining some heat helps with the rise.

Once the donuts are ready to fry, fill a large pot or Dutch oven with 1-2 inches of oil and heat the oil to about 350F using a thermometer. Fry the donuts 1-2 at a time and transfer them to paper towel-lined plates to drain and cool. While they’re cooling make the glaze. Whisk together all the ingredients in a small bowl, using powdered sugar or milk to balance the thickness.

Also prepare the chocolate frosting. Melt the chocolate chips over a double-boiler, then stir in the butter and maple syrup. From there, decorate the donuts as you desire! I used various sprinkles, luster dust, food coloring, and cinnamon sugar.